Paper feeding device



y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ET AL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 mmFZFE INVEN TOR J. M. CUNNINGHAM F. L.PRATT P.M.KOVACH y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ET AL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 25, 1954 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J. M. CUNNINGHAM F. L .PRATT P.M. KOVACH May 29, 1956 cUNNlNGHAM ETAL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 IN VEN TOR.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM F.L.PRATT P. M.KOVACH QJQQQQQQOG) QQQJQJQOQOQGJQOQODO J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE May 29, 1956 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 18 Sheets-Sheet 4 Iloooooooooo moo ;o;ooooo INVENTOR. N J. M. CUNNINHAM F.L.PRATT PM. KOVACH QQOOG D O May 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ET AL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 y 1956 .1. M. CUNNlNGHAM ET AL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 25, 1954 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 7.

IN VEN TOR. J. M. CUNNINGHAM BY F.L.PRATT PM. KOVACH g t W May 29, 1956 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 FIG. 8.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE 18 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVEN TOR. J. M. CUNNINGHAM F.L.PRATT BY P.M.KOVACH y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE FIG. 9.

INVEN TOR. J. M. CUNNINGHAM BY F.L. PRATT P.M.KOVACH y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ET AL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 18 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN V EN TOR.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM y I F. L. PRATT P.M.KOVACH 7 May 29, 1956 J, CUNNINGHAM ETAL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Dec. 25, 1954 INVENTOR. -J. M. CUNNINGHAM BY F.L.PRATT P.M.KOVACH May 29, 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec 23,

INVEN TOR.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM F.L.PRATT BY P. M.KOVACH W y 29, 6 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE l8 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Dec. 23, 1954 IN VEN TOR. J M.- CUNNINGHAM F. L. PRATT P M KOVACH (OVERFLOW M y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 25, 1954 SLOW DOWN STOP CHANNEL-1 CHANNEL) 18 Sheets-Sheet 13 CHANNEL 2 CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL- 4 IN VEN TOR.

J. M. CUNNINGHAM F.L.PRATT P.M.KOVACH g n W ATTORNEY May 29, 1956 Filed Dec. 23, 1954 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL PAPER FEEDING DEVICE 18 Sheets-Sheet l4 SKIP INVENTOR. ,1. M. CUNNINGHAM F.L.PRATT P.M.KOVACH y 1956 J. M. CUNNINGHAM ETAL 2,747,717

PAPER FEEDING DEVICE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 18 Sheets-Sheet l5 63 s CLUTCH 46 CLUTCH 47 FIG. I90

INVEN TOR.

' J. M. CUNNINGHAM BY F.L.PRATT RM.KOVACH United States Patent PAPER FEEDING m mr:

James M. Cunningham, Endicott, Francis L, Pratt, Endwell, and Paul M. Kovach, Vestal, N. Y.', assig'hors' to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 13, 1 9,54 Serial No. 477,236 29 Claims. (Cl. 197-133) This invention relates generally to paper feeding devices and more particularly to form feeding means for operating at high speed with a record controlled printing machine. i

Heretofore, when printers were used employing type bars and type wheels there was a relatively low limit to the speed at which such parts could beadjusted to print line after line. Then the paper feeding devices cooperating with such printers-could very easily keep up with the pace of the printing speed. Now, with the advent of high speed printers such as wire printers and electrical, electronic or photographic recording devices it is necessary to provide record feeding devices to cope with recording speeds of 1000 or more lines per minute.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a paper feeding means of low inertia so that more rapid starting and advance movements and'ab'rupt s tops are made possible in order to attain greater speeds of record form spacing in synchronism with printing.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for performing line spacing of single, double and triple spaces, also long feeding means for short skip and long skip operations to predetermined heading and item positions on successive forms, and overflow controlmeans to perform where the number of items requires more than one form for a complete related listing of a group. A perforated feed control tape, photocells and'electronic circuits controlled. thereby, govern the operation of the long feeding means for skip and overflow operations. The line spacing means is controlled by .an electronic line space counter and coordinated with the operations of a high speed printer. Synchronism is maintained betweenfthe movement of the feed control tape and the advance of the forms. I i t Another object of the invention is the provisionof an advanced form of low inertia feeding means for handling records of the multiple ply continuous formvariety having marginal feed control perforations. The forms are transported by a pair of light weight nonmetallic pin studded belts which are driven through magnetic clutches and stopped by magnetic brakes A detenting means for a more positive stop is also provided to accurately position the forms in predetermined print receiving positions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved means for advancing continuous form m under'control of a tape with a plurality oi stop co I photocells for controlling movement of the tape and forms with changeable speeds for acceleration and deceleration to attain high speed without tearing the forms.

The invention is illustrated as an improvement over tape controlled feed devices of the kind shown in the Mills et a1. Patent No. 2,531,885, issued on Noven her 28, 1950. It is intended that the feeding devices pertorm in cooperation with high speed printing machines such as wire printing devices operable on the Qlder of 1500 lines per minute.

A e o isst 9 the nvsnt qn is t design o h 2,747,717 Patented May 29, 1956 feed device to be more or less independent and act as an auxiliary attachment suited for cooperation with any electrically controlled high speed printer. The feed devices are 'quite self-sufficient with a separate motor drive, clutches, control cam contacts, photoelectric tape sensing means and electronic circuit controls between the tape sensing means and the clutches. The feeding devices are designed for coordination with printing devices such as those of a'record controlled tabulator by connection through an electrical cable for timing with the printing cycle so that printing and feeding operations fall in the proper sequence.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved tape feed controls involving pairs of photoelectric sensing devices for controlling magnetic clutches to determine the starting and stopping operations in the feeding device. -The control tape is proyided with an indicium for each stopping control which is sensed twice photoelectrically to predict and predetermine the print receiving positions of the record form synchronized therewith. By an early photoelectric sensing of an indication of a desired print position, it is possible to achieve changeover or slowdown f rotn the high speed drive to the lower speed and therefore obtain a more harmonic deceleration.

When the feed devices are stopped there is a sequence of controls falling in regular order involving first a switch from the speed to the low speed clutches; second, the application of a magnetic brake; third, the deenergization of the low speed clutch and fourth, the engagement of a semi-positive mechanical stop for determining an accurate position. The foregoing controls are called into operation electronically and successively by the feed control perforation in the tapein conjunction with a long feed operation sometimes termed a ship operation. Ordinary spacing operations of one or several line spaces a e u ually ause by ma ds br u h a o in h p ing tabulator and communicated via electronic controls to t e aw S ee clut h d vi ao hsr sweet o th v n i is Pro e an p o ed form c astin ent l e h line s a n evices. A counter is' ordinarily filled so that each entry t srste yields an ve fl ws ry sra n to cause Sin ine, si v13 subt a tin ens e tw uni of the shut r eqn eiit P PI to S a ng. it i ss e s double or ple Species o erat o ca s co co i n therew th he uniten' y' a mpa p c es not imme ate ti e sau t ut m rel p a h u o un t subtrac ed After two r three in Qpera n and related counter operation, a carry is caused to stop the spa i W th the master n m l hol t e a ue 2 and sg iectsd t em t a Pi s? b ny u h r n t ntry. h spacing unit entrycreates a pulse and control to limit the operation to single line spacingj Reduction of the one: cont t-f t er P i r to p c n than causes the e ui ment o uble or t e s n long i h similar spacing before the counter overflow signals for species ts minat ca The sau r is a modulo elecjtr that comprising wosta es of tr g tuh's e n a ra er ubers sen a car y p lse hsre re nh pa t P ses sa squilts t c an e the st tu s e y f ens a o h t i er .se' s to eduse't e value repre n tion to 1. 9r Q, whe eby one, two or three spacing operations are performed according to whether the values Zero, one or two are previously subtracted from the counter.

Another object of the invention the provision of electronic controls between a feed control tape and continuous record feed devices comprising controls for reset ing ine-sp cin m lt le line'spa i lo g feed.- in fo m rs flew s p n speed 'rss a br n and detent stopping. Electronic interlocks are also proa) vided to insure the absence of conflict between the controls. For example, the electronic controls for spacing, skipping and stopping are wired so that only one of the three is controlling at any one time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel form of record material supporting device interspersed between the adjustable feed bands. These shields or paper table supports are of a telescoping character and comprise a series of nested plates which are shifted and extended relative to each other along with the adjustment movement of the pair of pin feed bands closer together or further separated to accommodate continuous forms of various widths.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the form feeding device assembly at the left of a cooperating printing tabulator;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation view showing the pin feed devices and the sheet guides surrounding the feeding means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detailed view taken along line 33 in Fig. 2 and showing the sheet retainer for holding the forms on the feed pins;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view with the sheet guides cut low to show the pair of feeding bands or pin feed belts and the adjustment therefor and also the clutches and brakes cooperating therewith;

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the motor drive and connections to the pair of clutches, the feed belt and the control tape;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation view taken along line 66 in Fig. 5 and showing the motor drive and belt connections to the clutches;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation view taken along line 7--7 in Fig. 5 and through the'main drive shaft upon which the control tape fed drum is mounted and synchronized with the drive to the pair of feed hands. This view also illustrates one of the magnetic brakes for aiding in stopping the rapidly moving feed devices in a predetermined position;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation view also taken through the main drive shaft but along line 88 in Fig. 5 and illustrating the pair of high and low speed magnetic clutches for driving the feed control belts;

Fig. 9 is another sectional elevation view taken through the main drive shaft but along line 99 in Fig. 5 and showing the brake and stop ratchet wheel at the right end of the apparatus.

At this point it may be noted that when Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are placed in a left to right order they represent a complete showing of a section through the main operating parts of the feeding devices;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation view taken along line 10-10 in Fig. 5 and showing one of the pin feed belts, the cooperating drive pulley for moving it, and the adjustable idler pulley for holding it taut;

Fig. 11 is a left side elevation view partly in section and showing the feed control tape supporting means and the spaced photoelectric sensing devices for reacting as influenced by light passing through feed control perforations appearing in the control tape as it is moved in synchronism with the advance of the record material;

Fig. 12 is a right side elevation view showing the stopping pawl and notched wheel construction for determining the accurate positioning of the form feeding devices;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the sheet guides to show the nested arrangement of the guides for telescoping action when the feed bands are shifted for adjustment;

. rate.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the sheet guides taken along the line 1414 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail view of the sheet guides taken along the line 15-15 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is another section detail view of the sheet guides taken along the line 1616 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is still another sectional detail view of the sheet guides taken along the line 1717 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 18 found on the sheet with Fig. 10 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 18-48 in Fig. 10 and showing the idler pulley construction for guiding the pin feed belt;

Figs. 19al9c are electrical diagrams showing the elec tronic devices cooperating with the photoelectric tape sensing controls for determining the mode of control by the tape over the feed devices;

Figs. 20a-20c when taken together form an electrical diagram showing the electronic controls of Figs. 19a-19c in a more general way and as they are coordinated with the line spacing and printer controls.

The invention is illustrated in connection with a machine for advancing continuous record forms at a rapid In order to keep pace with the high speed printer, it is necessary that the feed device not only be capable of moving the forms rapidly from line to line and with long feed movements, but also be capable of rather abrupt stops and rapidly accelerating starting operation. As an aid to this type of control the moving parts are made to have low inertia and because of the light weight of the non-metallic belts there is less shock and better adaptability for acceleration than with purely metallic construction.

Another aid to the speed of operation is the use of magnetic clutches and brakes and rapid electronic response to feed tape control.

In Fig. 1 it is seen that the feed control device 20 comprises a large frame having four columns 21 which support the encased operating controls 22 at the upper righthand section and branching therefrom are the rearwardly extending and descending guides 23 which carry the cascading printed forms downward into a receiving hopper 24. The magazine for the fanfolded continuous forms is situated centrally at 25 and from there the forms are drawn upward in front of the platen in the printcr and then further upward and caught around the pin iced belts opposite the printing devices which are encased in the frame 26. Base 27 is mounted on wheels for easy movement of the feed devices into position against the printer.

It will be noted that there is a dividing line between the outer case of the printer and the case of the feed control devices and thus it is clear that they are separab e and the feed devices are independent and suited for assembly to other printing mechanisms. When they are brought together they are clamped in place and electrical cable connections are established so that operations are coordinated and printing is interspersed with operations of the feed device.

The interior framework construction of the feed head is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 where it is seen that the frame comprises a base member 30 which supports three main upright frames, a right side frame 31, a center frame 32 and a left side frame 33. A pair of cross members or spacer frames 34 and 35 are provided between the main frames. Upon the horizontal one 35 of the latter rests the drive motor M.

As an adjustable form of connection to the printer. the center frame 32, Fig. 8, holds a large threaded nut through which passes a centrally threaded tube 39, Fig. 4. which has at its ends a pair of spool shaped receivers into which are hooked extensions of the printer frames 41 and 42. The printer may be of the form of the high speed wire printer disclosed in Patent 2,730,040, issued January 10, 1956, and filed on November 8, 1951, by R. B. Johnson. The threaded tube 39 is turned by a hand 

